Part 167

The battle against the Armor of Eraqus has two phases with distinct attack patterns based on your character.

Phase I - Terra: The Armor of Eraqus uses Critical Impact and Rockbreaker Command Styles, featuring downward slashes that create shockwaves. Its ultimate move binds Terra, pulls up a chunk of the area, and blasts it with light; continuously press the displayed button to break free.

Phase I - Ventus: The Armor of Eraqus uses the Fever Pitch Command Style with flying slashes similar to Stratosphere and Air Dive. Use Payback Raid for damage and brief invincibility between assaults, and be sure to heal. The ultimate attack involves several tornados; Dodge Roll past them.

Phase I - Aqua: The boss uses the Spellweaver Command Style with Barrier Surge attacks. Fire Pillars require repeated Cartwheeling away. The Dancing Lights attack, where the Armor of Eraqus is surrounded by moving light energy, requires precise Cartwheeling in large circles. The ultimate move summons different colored lights onto quadrants of the area, requiring constant Cartwheeling to avoid different status effects.

Phase II: This phase begins when the Armor of Eraqus ensnares you with a seal. Rotate the control stick to break free; attacking will cause you to become stunned. The boss's speed increases, performing quick slashes like Zantetsuken. Use Shotlocks more regularly to prevent stunning. When the seal on its back disappears, the Armor of Eraqus returns to Phase I for the respective character. The battle alternates between these phases. Block and use Shotlock until Phase I resumes.

How to Counter: Reflect magical orbs back at the Armor of Eraqus when it builds them up without moving. Move far away to avoid the limited Dancing Lights attack. Guard against the Keyblade Seeker attack, where Keyblades launch from a spiral center. Guard or Dodge Roll away from Fire Pillars. If caught by the Ensnare attack (fired three times), guard the powerful combo that follows; watch for the boss raising its hand as a signal for Ensnare.